Always very sociable out and about on the local running scene.

Every race is a chance to meet new people.

DON MAHON

1.When did you start running

I started running at the tender age of 38 after losing nearly 5 stone.
Carmel got me a gift voucher for training sessions with Celine O Neill................Celine told me I could run and never looked back since.

2. How did you end up joining the club

I ended up joining Trim AC after 2 lads John Canning & Enda Markey asked me a few times to come down and train with them in 2010 when running wasn’t as popular as it is now. I was asked later that year by Ciaran Tobin & Moira Aston would I be interested in training a group of runners for Jingle Bells couch to 5k for Christmas 2010 in the Phoenix Park which I said I would & the rest is history.

3. Favourite race(Excluding the Trim 10 Miler and Braveheart 5k)

Well that depends on distances
5k Na Fianna
10k Dunshaughlin
Half marathon Bohermeen
Marathon Dublin
They are all special races to me as I got all my pb’s on these courses over my running years.

4. What do you crave after a run

I like a Diet Coke & some chocolate also a good pint after a marathon.

5. Pre-race meal

I don’t eat much before a race as I find it doesn’t suit me so very little.

6. Miles or KM

Miles but recently I started to enjoy km for some strange reason.

7. Any race superstition

No not really only nerves before the starting off of a race just want to get on with it.

8. Track, road or XC?

Road for me

9. Why do you run ?

I run for a couple of reasons: Love the company & chats of fellow club runners. It’s great for head space & love the fresh air. I love been able to do the Braveheart couch to 5k training, helping runners achieve their goals & giving something back from where I 1st started.

10. Best running memory
 

I have two of them
1st one is getting on the podium over in Claremont stadium when I first started out running Track & Field
2nd one for me is the Dublin City marathon 2016 after a few years of injuries I had a plan that year which started back in January & it all came finally good where I achieved a personal best where everything went so well and having that feeling of relief & happiness coming home the last 1k where so many was cheering you on, a memory I will cherish for a lifetime.


11. What do you miss most from a running perspective during lockdown?
 

I suppose it has to be our club training sessions & the long run at the weekend where you miss the chats & catch up from week to week.

12. Most memorable race that you didn’t compete in

Dublin Marathon 2014 I was injured and I remember as I watched all the runners, God I hope this never happens again and so far it hasn’t

13. Who is your running hero
Eamon Coughlan from when I was growing up I thought he was pretty amazing, it was once said I had his final kick at the end of a race. Also Sebastian Coe & Steve Cram I really enjoyed what they both achieved.

14. Split shorts or tight shorts
Split shorts

15. What do you listen to during a run( music/podcast)
Never listen to music while running, I’m afraid I might break into a dance along the way if I did.
As most would know me while training & sometimes racing I can honestly say I like to talk & run.